Trail Birthday

Finally got a trail name! To tell the story, I need to give lots of background story though...

So first off, most or all of you know that my boyfriend Matt (trail name Rocket) started hiking the Appalachian Trail 3 weeks ahead of me. We talked about hiking together, but ultimately we decided that this was our own personal selfish adventure, and we would both gain the most out of it by going at it solo.

Fast forward a month into my journey. There is a trail festival called Trail Days that occurs every year in Damascus, VA. Current hikers, previous hikers, outdoor gear vendors, etc all gather in this little town for a weekend of chaos. I ended up hitching from Erwin, VA on Friday, 14 May, to attend, and met up with Rocket. Saturday evening, Rocket and I decided to hike together. So Sunday, I jumped up almost 300 miles, which I will go back and complete at another time, to Pearisburg, VA.

Fast forward to the next day, we were planning on hiking 17 miles or so. But a couple miles before the shelter we were aiming for, on the other side of a river, is a house. The Captain's house. The Captain is an older man, who has rigged a zip line from the AT to his lawn, where he allows hikers to camp out (since there was only a couple of us, we actually got to crash on his couches), lets them shower, and just hang out. So I zip line across, the Captain meets me, and this is the conversation that occurs next:

Captain: I'm the Captain

Me: I'm Ashley, no trail name yet

Captain: 600 miles and no trail name??

Me: Well, actually somewhere between 300 and 350. I skipped ahead to hike with Rocket.

Captain: Well, then your trail name is Skip.

So my trail name is Skip. Not the best reputation to have on the trail, but it's okay because I plan to still complete that section. And because the name came from the Captain. Which is super cool.

PS, make sure you go to my flickr, because there is a SWEET video of Rocket falling off the zipline into the river the next morning. You will pee your pants laughing.

Okay, on to the rest of the week. I just had a trail birthday! Which is just a coolish way of saying I celebrated my birthday on the trail. And I must say - best birthday ever.

Rocket and I hiked 17 miles into Daleville, VA after getting up at 5am to hike almost 2 miles to watch the sunrise at McAfee's Knob, and split a hotel room with another hiker, Stretcher. We were all just hanging out after a fun dinner at the Mexican restaurant across the street, when Rocket says something about taking a walk, which I found weird that he would be taking a walk by himself but whatever. Because 5 minutes later he comes into the room with a birthday cake and candles singing. Omg. For those of you that don't know, cake is my favorite food. Yum yum. And I had not had any cake since I left. Wowzers! Then he pulls some sushi out. Then he pulls out my fuel bottle, refilled. And *then* he pulls out a new sleeping pad, one that blows up and is waaay more comfortable than my flat one I had. Way more than I ever expected. So Rocket and Stretcher, thank you. And thank you Bennie for not giving it away, after you talked to Rocket and he told you what was happening. You guys are all amazing :)

So basically, life is great. It's been raining a lot. Since Rocket and I started hiking together, we've had 1 or 2 days where it didn't rain. Most of the rain has been intermittent, but since it's so humid, nothing has a chance to dry out between showers. Quite annoying. But it hasn't got us down yet! We're averaging 17+ miles a day, cruising along quite nicely :)

As they say, "if you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you're lucky enough"

Again, be sure to check out my flickr photo updates. And that video. :)

Hot Springs

Okay, so I took my first zero finally. For those that don't know, a zero is where you spend an entire day off the trail. I stayed two nights at a really nice hostel here in Hot Springs that only allows thru-hikers to stay. I got in Saturday evening, relaxed all day Sunday, and am about to head out back to the trail after I finish this posting.

The Smokies were incredible. I talked a little about it in my last entry, but I want to talk about it again. We got incredibly lucky with weather, and though a terrible storm was forcasted (the same storm that killed some people in Tennessee about a week ago), we only got bad rain at night while we were sleeping and didn't once have to walk in it. The diversity in the Smokies was amazing - I literally walked through 3 or 4 distinct ecosystems over a 5 day period. Definitely the most unique part of the trail so far.

Coming out of the Smokies, a group of us stayed at a super relaxing hostel, where we sat in the sun all day and chilled. Was much needed, since I pulled my first 20 mile hike the day before! Coming out of that hostel, we climbed up to Max Patch 14 miles almost all uphill in 80 degree weather, and were instantly rewarded with an amazing 360 degree view. I watched the sun set up there, took some amazing pictures - it was actually very emotional, working so hard all day to have it end with that sunset.

Still no trail name, but I think it's coming soon haha so stay posted :)

It's been an amazing journey so far, and it's only begun! I'm learning a lot about myself, and what I'm capable off, both physically and mentally. I've realized that the only thing I miss so far out here is my family, which is actually a pretty incredible realization.

Once again, check out the updated photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48651563@N04/

200 miles

Just hit another milestone, and am sitting a few miles over 200 :) Feels so good.

I'm hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains this week, and let me tell you, it is incredible up here. We were supposed to get a crazy storm, but luckily, the only rain we got was at night. Hiking has been a little rough, as far as terrain is concerned, and I pulled my first 17+ mile day the other day.

Got new boots about a week or so ago, and they have made a world of difference - no more blisters, hiking is so much easier, and my knee even feels better. Makes hiking so much more enjoyable.

Gatlingburg tonight, some amazing food and beer, can't wait :) Then back out to finish the Smokies tomorrow and knock out another 100 miles, w00t!

The trip has been so amazing so far. I keep meeting so many incredible people. And everyone out here is so generous. We all share everything, trade food, everyone is really nice. I even got popcorn on the trail the other night! (Which, btw, was **amazing**)

More photos have been uploaded, sorry there aren't more, but the weather has been so foggy and gross that my camera has stayed hidden away.

Oh, also, my phone died, so if anyone called or texted in the last week or so, I didn't get it, and might not at all. Feel free to drop me an email, leave me comments here, comment on photos, etc :) I'll hopefully be back on a computer in another week!

Miss all you guys!